Home Health Face-to-Face Encounter Waiver Expiration and Start of Care Episodes

The waiver permitting telehealth for Home Health face-to-face (F2F) encounters ends on January 30, 2026.

• Telehealth F2F visits performed between March 1, 2020, and January 30, 2026, remain valid.
• These encounters must comply with timeliness requirements for the start of care (SOC) as outlined in the Internet-Only Manual, Publication 100-02, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 7 — Home Health Services, § 30.5.1.1 (PDF): 
  • The F2F encounter must occur no more than 90 days before the SOC
  • Occurs within 30 days after the SOC